What term describes power derived from an individual's extensive knowledge in one or more areas?

• A. Expert Power
• B. Referent Power
• C. Coercive Power
• D. Informational Roles

Answer: (A)

Power that comes from having extensive knowledge in a field is expert power. When people see someone as an authority because of deep expertise, they turn to that person for guidance, decisions, and problem-solving, giving the expert influence over outcomes. This form of power is personal and not tied to a formal position; its strength grows with demonstrated competence, credibility, and the ability to provide valuable, reliable insights. It can flourish when the expert consistently delivers useful results and stays current with new developments. In contrast, referent power stems from admiration and personal likability, coercive power from the ability to punish, and “informational roles” refers more to handling information than to a power base. So the term that best describes power derived from knowledge is expert power.